Kerry Peterson isn’t all business all the time. But she’s not going to let you know that.

Peterson, a 19-year-old freshman athletic training major and starting outfielder on the Chapman softball team, demands respect. Her personality is described by teammates and coaches as stubborn, strong-willed and spunky, and it can chafe those in her way.

“I don’t like to put things off, I just want it done. And if someone stops me, I can get a little rude,” Peterson said.

For a freshman to have confidence in her skills among the older team members is special, said Associate Head Coach Doug Aiken.

Peterson was second in batting percentage with a .363, tied for second in RBIs with 20, second in slugging percentage with .500, had a .941 fielding percentage and led the entire team in doubles.

Peterson’s close friend and roommate next year, freshman pitcher and third baseman Rhianna Stepler-Camp, said Peterson’s play and starting position gives the team a brighter future, especially coming off two losing seasons.

“It gives the rest of us freshman hope,” Stepler-Camp said. “She loves the sport. Every day is just a new day to prove herself.”

Peterson is a vegetarian who enjoys biking and hiking. She dislikes chick flicks and likes getting her way.

“But she is usually right,” sophomore outfielder C.C. Daly said.

Her experience in high school may have determined how she reacts toward obstacles.

Her softball coach at Notre Dame High School in Belmont, Calif., was a strict leader and if a women made an error, she was sure to get an earful in the dugout. Peterson feels the coaches at Chapman aren’t as totalitarian, which leads to interesting interactions.

“When she first got here, I couldn’t figure out her attitude. I couldn’t tell if she was listening or not, she didn’t respond much,” Aiken said. “She doesn’t come off as arrogant. She just acted like she belonged out there.”

Peterson played through a back injury for the latter half of the season and didn’t see a physician because she thought she would just be told to rest. But the real challenge for Peterson was one off the field: It made it hard for her to dance.

“I like to shake it. It made it hard to arch my back, I had to stop dancing and it made me sad,” Peterson said. “But I would never stop playing softball because of an injury.”

Peterson’s sarcastic nature leads to ribbing among her and some players.

“When she runs around the bases she has the ‘Finding Nemo’ arm that sticks out at a weird angle,” Daly said, referring to the movie’s eponymous fish with a damaged fin.

Daly also teases her about her lifestyle habits.

“She bikes, bikes and bikes some more and then eats tofu, then gets back on her bike.”

Although some joking goes back and forth on the team, Peterson is in support of all the women that wear cardinal and gray.

Aiken, who sat next to her as she sat out the last game of the season – senior night – can attest to that.

“She’s loud and boisterous. But it was annoying. Now I realize why I like her in the field,” Aiken said. “But I wish the whole team was as obnoxious as her.”


Contact this reporter: ryan.murray@thepantheronline.com